The Logic Model Guidebook: Better Strategies for Great Results

The Logic Model Guidebook offers a concise, practical overview of the logic modeling process as applied to numerous organizational contexts. Authors Lisa Wyatt Knowlton (Ed.D.) and Cynthia C. Phillips (Ph.D.) examine the structures, processes, and language of logic models as an emerging tool that improves the design, development, and implementation of change efforts within programs and greater organizational initiatives. Through concise, step-by-step process articulation, enhanced by numerous visual learning guides (sample models, checklists, exercises, worksheets) and case examples, the authors provide students, practitioners, and beginning researchers with invaluable tools to develop and improve these models.

Praise for The Logic Mode Guidebook

"A very thorough treatment of the practice of logic modeling with concrete guidance based on actual programs and projects. The Guidebook is useful both as a teaching tool and as a more general way of familiarizing practitioners with logic models. I am impressed with the comprehensiveness and detail…"
―Richard Elmore, Ph.D., Graduate School of Education, Harvard University

"This book captures and explains a critical set of planning and thinking skills, and provides the tools that are useful for anyone engaged in management or development of complex programs and strategies. The logic model provides a powerful vehicle to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations. The Guidebook leads the field in providing both the theory and the practice of using logic models as a critical management tool – especially for the nonprofit sector.
―Kathryn Agard, Ph.D., Executive Director, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership, Grand Valley State University

"The Guidebook contains refinements to the logic modeling technique and best practices that have accrued over nearly a decade. It links models to organizational learning in general and systems thinking in particular…It takes our thinking about models in a whole new direction!"
―Craig Russon, Ph.D., Evaluation Manager, W. K. Kellogg Foundation (former)

"I especially liked the learning aids , clear writing style, the many figures and examples, and listings of important points within each chapter. This is all good teaching methodology…Logic models are an important tool in planning and evaluation. Both planners and evaluators should know how to use them."
―James R. Sanders, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Western Michigan University

"The Guidebook is easy to read and understand. I like how logic models make assumptions visible. This makes it more likely to choose effective strategies and secure desired results ."
―Faye Richardson-Green, Director, Global Learning & Development, Steelcase, Inc.

Lisa Wyatt Knowlton, Ed.D.

Lisa is a cycling enthusiast, Lake Michigan fan, adoption advocate and voracious reader. She holds a BA in International Relations from Michigan State University, an MPA from Western Michigan University, and an EdD in Management and Policy from Western Michigan University. Her work history includes senior roles in programming and management of private, community, and corporate philanthropy along with organizational development and government relations. She has managed many large change projects for the W. K. Kellogg Foundation as well as the Aspen Institute, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Independent Sector, Ball, Nokomis, and Kauffman Foundations. Lisa is a W. K. Kellogg National Leadership Fellow with deep experience in Central America, Asia, and Europe. Lisa authors a blog called tinker. She is a contributor to Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations (Sage, 2011). Her areas of specialization include strategy, organization development, leadership, change management, and systems thinking. She is Chief Strategy Officer, management guru, and learning coach with Phillips Wyatt Knowlton, Inc. She also speaks Spanish. You can reach her via e-mail at: lisawk@pwkinc.com.

Cynthia C. Phillips, Ph.D.

Cynthia is a birder, recovering aerobics instructor with 30 million meters rowed, and cyber-sleuth. She received a BS in Biology and Chemistry from Indiana University, an MA in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University, and a PhD in Measurement, Research & Evaluation from Western Michigan University. Her experience includes consultation with the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Ball Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nokomis, Kauffman, and the David and Lucile Packard Foundations in the design and implementation of evaluation, evaluation training, and knowledge management projects. She is the author of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guide. Cynthia is a sought-after presenter on logic models and knowledge management. Her areas of specialization and expertise include evaluation/measurement; knowledge management; organizational learning; logic models, quantitative methods, and qualitative methods; and electronic data collection and dissemination. Cynthia offers a user-friendly approach to evaluation capacity building. She is Chief Idea Engineer, and measurement expert with Phillips Wyatt Knowlton, Inc. You can reach her via e-mail at: cynthiap@pwkinc.com.